On February 11, 2023 at 10:29 AM, Tompkins County Sheriff's Deputies responded to Ling Ling Garden Restaurant located at 331 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca after employees arrived at work to find their business had been burglarized overnight. Upon review of the video surveillance footage, Deputies observed an unidentified white male break in the back door by drilling out the door lock, enter the business and then proceed to steal cash from the cash register. Deputies conducted a neighborhood canvass and observed the same male being dropped off at East Hill Car Wash, 383 Pine Tree Road and further observed the male attempting to break into the Car Wash prior to breaking into Ling Ling Garden Restaurant.
With the assistance of the Ithaca Police Department, Deputies and Officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle parked in front of the Magnolia House, 320 N. Meadow Street and further viewed the same male walking back into the apartment building and entering one of the apartments. At the conclusion of the investigation, Deputies were able to identify and arrest the male, James R. Kastenhuber, age 32 of Ithaca, NY.
Kastenhuber was charged with Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D Felony), Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree (Class E Felony) and Criminal Possession of Burglar Tools (Class A Misdemeanor). Kastenhuber was held for Centralized Arraignment and later remanded to the Tompkins County Jail.
